TAC Family Forums

Share your wins, get unstuck, or see how others use the TAC Method to create a fulfilling guitar life!

  • Third TACiversary already?

    Posted by SherryH on May 2, 2022 at 7:27 am

    It’s hard to believe that this month I am starting my fourth year of TAC. I have learned so much but most of all I have come to really understand what Tony means by our guitar journey, The process is really an individual journey – no two are alike. I have to remember to focus on my progress and recognize the changes in my playing. The changes come even though some are very slow. I have to stop and acknowledge them and celebrate them as small wins. Celebrating the wins and sharing with the community really bumps the motivation and gives you courage to keep moving.

    The most important accomplishment for me this year was being able to play most lessons at full speed (not all yet, but most). When I started I set the speed at .5 and rarely was able to keep up with that. Friday’s chord progressions were never even at .5 speed. I was just happy if I could make all the chords and remember how to play them without looking at the tabs. It took 18 months to make my first clear barre chord.

    What i look forward to this year is speeding up my chord changes, welcoming barre chords instead of tolerating them, and learning more TAC songs, especially finger style. I want to be more consistent than last year, more active on the forum, and generally just enjoy my guitar journey and the TAC community.

    Thanks Tony for creating one of the only all positive social media forums. The world needs more positive forces like you.

    Moonhare replied 2 years, 9 months ago 7 Members · 12 Replies
  • 12 Replies
  • Loraine

    Member
    May 2, 2022 at 8:21 am

    Happy 3rd TACiversary @SherryH ! It sounds as if you’ve had a good 3 years and are still progressing, which I find inspirational. I remember when I first thought I’d take up guitar. I thought I’d be playing like a pro in no time, well, knocked on my arse a bit there. It’s definitely hard work, but the outcome and small wins make it so much fun and enjoyable.

  • albert_d

    Member
    May 2, 2022 at 8:37 am

    Congratulations @SherryH I just completed my 3rd recently too. Time I have enjoyed and feel was well invested. I’m from Austin too. Pre COVID we had an Austin Jam Club that fell apart. But one of the days, this summer, we may try to get back for a friendly circle of music. I’ll let you know if that is okay with you?

  • Marty73

    Member
    May 2, 2022 at 10:21 am

    Happy 3rd TACiversary @SherryH Here’s to another year on your journey! 🍸🍸🍸😎

  • jumpinjeff

    Member
    May 2, 2022 at 1:04 pm

    Way to go @SherryH , your obsevations and conclusions ring true with me. I like where you have been and I like where you are going.

    What is your obstacle to overcome in order to fulfill that consistency intention? It is a question I always ask myself. It is as much a rhetorical question as it is a literal one. Would love to hear your take.

  • SherryH

    Member
    May 3, 2022 at 7:43 am

    @albert_d , I would like very much to try to be a part of a Austin group. It scares me to my bones, but I know that playing (or trying to play with other people) is an important next step to my development.

  • SherryH

    Member
    May 3, 2022 at 7:59 am

    @jumpinjeff, to be consistent I have to make my primary practice time first thing in the morning but also have a secondary time in the afternoon. If I start the day with my laptop and morning tea, I know I will get my daily challenge in and maybe work on a song. If I have an early appointment, I need to fall back to the secondary time. The secondary afternoon session is harder to protect because people and obligations are easier to interfere at that time. This plan worked great the first year, became less consistent the second, and was much less consistent this last year. I have recommitted myself to plan because I really want to improve this year. I can see the difference consistency makes and I can see how I hurt my development this past year but not sticking to plan. Let’s see how I do this year.

    • jumpinjeff

      Member
      May 3, 2022 at 10:41 am

      Great analysis @SherryH , Some things may be more important than the guitar playing practice, I don’t like it but living with that and finding the place in my priorities where my playing does fit makes it easier for me to say no to lower priority things that start flashing becoming seemingly more important in the moment. Those are the things that distract me from my set priorities. When I focus on priorities I don’t feel bad when guitar is missed as long as I don’t miss it because of distraction. You sound like you have an excellent handle on that. This has been a cool conversation because I get yet another my wake up call to focus. Many Thanks Sherry! Wishing you focus and the fulfillment of your intent this coming year.

  • SherryH

    Member
    May 3, 2022 at 8:08 am

    @Loraine , yep I have come to terms with my expectations as well. I am a slow learner guitarist and I won’t ever play like Tommy Immanuel. I do hope to keep progressing and reach some level of competency but its a long journey for me.

  • SherryH

    Member
    May 3, 2022 at 8:10 am

    Thanks @Marty69 ! I’m looking forward to a productive and fun year moving my journey forward.

    • Marty73

      Member
      May 3, 2022 at 8:42 am

      👍

  • Bill_Brown

    Member
    May 3, 2022 at 8:17 am

    Happy 3rd TACiversary 🎂 @SherryH 👏🎼👏 I wish you the best in achieving your goals for this coming year and many, many more TACiversaries🤩 I have a current streak that I don’t want to break, that’s what keeps me motivated to maintain my routine. Infant grandkids at my house or not😱, first thing in the morning, I’m at the computer doing TAC👍

  • Moonhare

    Member
    May 10, 2022 at 1:26 am

    Well done on getting to this point in your journey and I hope you find that consistency you want returning in year 4. It already sounds like you have so much more under your fingertips with the challenges. By the way speaking as someone who has gigged all over (on keys, not guitar…. one day) there is absolutely nothing that comes close to the experience of playing with other musicians. And if you find yourself surrounded by musicians who are more experienced than you then all the better. You will learn so much! 🤟😎🎸 Darren

Log in to reply.